Lesson Overview

The purpose of this lesson is to introduce students to using sensors to read data on an Arduino. By the end of the lesson, students will learn:

• What sensors are and how they work

• How to use variables in Arduino programming

• The basics of inputs and outputs in electrical components

• How to use sensor data to control other devices through an Arduino

• How to utilize the Arduino serial monitor to view and analyze data

Required Kit Supplies

• 1x Arduino Mega R3

• 1x USB A-to-USB B cable

• 1x Breadboard

• 1x LED (any color)

• 1x 220Ω resistor

• 1x potentiometer 

• Male to Male (M-M) wires

Additional Required Supplies 

• Chromebook or laptop for each student

  • Arduino IDE installed or

  • Access to Arduino web editor with Arduino Create Agent installed

Keywords

• Data/Data signal: Information collected about a physical quantity. This can be a numerical value, such as voltage, or a state, such as true/false or high/low.

• Digital Data: Information that exists in two distinct states: high or low, represented as true/false, 1/0, or 5V/ground. When reading a digital signal, only these two possible values are possible.

• Analog Data: Information that can vary continuously between two values, rather than being limited to just two states like digital data. In the case of an Arduino, the data can range between 0V and 5V.

• Input: A data signal received by a device. In an Arduino, an input occurs when the Arduino receives a signal from a sensor for processing.

• Output: A data signal transmitted from a device, such as the Arduino when it sends an output signal to control a device like an LED.

• Variable: A storage location in Arduino used to hold data. A variable must be given a name before it can be used to store information.

• Serial Communication: A method for transferring data between microcontrollers and computers, enabling the transmission of large amounts of information.

Additional External Resources

• Using the Arduino Web Editor

  • Using the Arduino Cloud Editor | Arduino Documentation

• Introduction to Programming an Arduino

  • Getting Started with Arduino | Arduino Documentation

• Arduino Syntax

  • Arduino Reference - Arduino Reference

• Similar Activities

  • Arduino - Control LED Brightness With a Potentiometer - The Robotics Back-End (roboticsbackend.com)

  • Arduino Basic Project-#7 - Hackster.io